Trump says Russia has bargaining chips in Ukraine talks

US President Donald Trump told reporters on 19 February that Russia has trump cards in the negotiations on Ukraine.

He said Russia has "cards" in peace talks with Ukraine because it "controls a lot of territory."

"I think the Russians want the conflict to end ... But I think they have trumps cards because they have annexed a lot of territory, so they have an advantage," The New York Times (NYT) reports his words.

Trump also noted that Russian officials are negotiating in good faith.

"I rate the negotiations highly, there is a result"

How Putin sees the development of relations between Russia and the United States after the meeting in Riyadh and what awaits Ukraine

Thetalks between the Russian and American delegations lasted 4.5 hours in Riyadh on February 18. Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov praised the meeting, and U.S. President Donald Trump also praised them. According to him, the sides "not just listened, but heard each other." At the talks, the sides confirmed their common mood for the settlement of the conflict in Ukraine, for which special negotiating teams will be organized.